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Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Living overseas

has anyone bought/ own a gite in france as a business?

17 replies

overthemill · 02/07/2010 18:40

we are seriously considering this. Anyone any experiences to share?

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monkeybumsmum · 04/07/2010 18:22

Hi overthemill, no experience personally but both my MIL and FIL (separately) have places in France that they rent out. What exactly would you like to know? They haven't had any problems that I know of, and both places are booked out for this summer, so it seems popular. MIL advertises in a UK magazine, which has bough them loads of guests, but FIL only advertises locally (in Belgium) and it still manages to get booked up.

If there's anything specific you would like to know then I can always ask them for you... MIL's house is in Brittany and FIL's is in the Dordogne. Where are you thinking of buying?

PS. MIL and step-FIL do run theirs as a business and live alongside it, whereas FIL's is a holiday home that he lets out but also let us use

overthemill · 04/07/2010 21:35

ooh, fab, direct line to info!
Thinking charente maritime, maybe aquitaine. Want to buy house for us to live in plus 2 attached gites. Cant afford to buy existing busines so want to get gites rented out asap after purchase. Thinking of buying somewhere where at least one property is in good condition then doing up others.
So, where to advertise, tax on rental income? How many years to break even, make money? And how many weeks do they manage to rent out? And any don't do's?
Is that ok thanks personal experience is so much better.
Ultimate aim is to live off income alone when kids leave home! ! But For now dh may still work in uk.

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monkeybumsmum · 04/07/2010 22:45

Will be speaking to MIL tomorrow, so shall ask her then Sounds a lovely idea - when will the kids leave home?
Will let you know what MIL says...

jenpet · 06/07/2010 17:09

Just seen this. We live in Brittany, and have had the one gite for 4 years. It has gone better than I ever thought it would (2009 we had 40 weeks booked, similar this year) but in no way is it enough to live on for us. DH works freelance. It would depend on the size and location obviously. On the plus side it's a great way to earn a bit of extra money, we meet wonderful people every year (this year 90% of bookings are repeats) and it fits in very nicely around school etc. Let me know if you want any more info - this is our website www.gorvellogite.com

overthemill · 07/07/2010 07:24

jenpet, thank you and what fab gite! This is exactly what we are aiming for, top of the range accomodation and everything you need, so the car ian't packed to the roof!
Can i as, you loads of questions? S x

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jenpet · 07/07/2010 07:50

Of course, ask whatever you like!! cat me or email if you prefer x

overthemill · 07/07/2010 07:54

gosh, that was quick! Just off to work now but will be in touch later. thanks
x

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monkeybumsmum · 07/07/2010 08:28

Jenpet your gite is gorgeous! It's only about half an hour from my MIL's which is a similar looking house. It's such a lovely area of France.
Overthemill, so sorry I haven't got back to you before now, but I haven't been able to speak to my MIL for more than a couple of mins as she has her MIL staying at the mo! I think she goes next week so will be able to have a more indepth chat then...

BecauseImWorthIt · 07/07/2010 08:38

jenpet - your gite looks wonderful! (I have saved it as a favourite - it's a part of Brittany that we love)

overthemill - no direct experience, but an acquaintance of mine owns a house with four cottages that she rents out in Wales. (Not quite the same!)

I know from her experience that it's hard work and doesn't generate a huge amount of income.

As well as knowing how many weeks of the year you are likely to be occupied, you also have to take into account the time each week you will have to spend cleaning the gites for the next visitors. And, sadly, some people do leave them in a dreadful state. If you're not going to do the cleaning, then you will have to pay someone else to, which will eat into your profits.

It's also very tying - the holiday season is her busiest time of the year, so it's hard for her to take a break with her own family.

Getting the right agent and/or developing your own website are crucial for promoting your business. If you go through an agent, there are all kinds of things that they will tell you that you have to have/do - for heath and safety, to reach a certain star standard and/or to cater for those who are less abled and for families with children.

But I'm sure you know all this, and that there are many positives as well, so good luck!

overthemill · 09/07/2010 07:58

jenpet, its my day off today so i am going to make a list of questions and email you via your website, hope that's ok!?
x

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jenpet · 09/07/2010 14:15

Only just looked at this again (too much time spent at the beach!)
Thank you all for your lovley comments - monkeybumsmum where is your mils place? Lots of good advice from BecauseImWorthit, and, yes ask whatever you like! Won't be super speedy replying as it's changeover day tomorrow, but will answer what I can....

overthemill · 11/07/2010 22:02

jenpet, sorry worked yesterday so no chance. Hope tomorrow will do?

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overthemill · 12/07/2010 14:01

jenpet - emailed you loads of questions! seen somewhere we like now too

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jenpet · 12/07/2010 20:27

Sorry overthemill, just seen this - I've just replied to you, but really excited for you if you've found somewhere suitable!

overthemill · 16/07/2010 19:46

we've seen somewhere online with house 2 gites and outbuildings. We will try to see it next month while on holiday in the area. Still not sure whether to get house plus renovations or done up place. Really hard, would like to put our stamp on somewhere but then again we cld earn money immediately. Decisions, decisions! But nice

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overthemill · 19/07/2010 15:40

what i'm wondering at the moment os about filling gites during offeason, eg winter. Does anybody manage it, how do you advertise and who to? Ideas gratefully received.

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tb · 08/08/2010 17:50

Bear in mind that, if you haven't got the skills to do up somewhere yourselves, that renovation costs are about ?1000+ per sq m. Also, there is a lot of belief about that the brits are fabulously rich. It coould even be cheaper buying land and having a house + gite(s) built from new, all with double glazing, aerothermie type heating etc.

We bought a house, unfortunately at the top of the market, and have spent over ?100k making it habitable - and it's only 1950's not a 17th C wreck!

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